SmarterDividends

JPST vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, JPST yields more: 4.13% (current yield) against 3.64% for SGOV. SGOV is cheaper to own at 0.09% a year vs 0.18%. Over the same 6 years (May 2020 to Oct 2026), JPST returned 3.2% a year with distributions reinvested, and SGOV 3.0%. JPST's income is mostly taxable by states; SGOV's is generally exempt from state income tax.

ComparedJPSTSGOV
YieldCurrent yield4.13%3.64%
Expense ratio0.18%0.09%
Total return, 1 yr+3.5%+3.7%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+4.9%+4.5%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+3.9%+3.8%
Worst drop since May 2020-0.7%-0.0%
Share price since May 2020−0%+1%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssuerJPMorganiShares
Assets$42.5B$116.8B
Started20172020
TypeUltra-short bond ETFTreasury ETF

Higher yield

JPST

4.13%

Lower cost

SGOV

0.09%

Better total return

JPST

3.2%/yr

Smaller worst drop

SGOV

-0.0%

Key facts: JPST vs SGOV

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, JPST yields 4.13% (current yield) and SGOV yields 3.64% (current yield).
  • JPST's expense ratio is 0.18% and SGOV's is 0.09%: $18 vs $9 a year on $10,000.
  • From May 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in JPST grew to $12,268 (3.2% a year) and $10,000 in SGOV to $12,088 (3.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.7% for JPST and -0.0% for SGOV.
  • JPST's income is mostly taxable by states, while SGOV's is generally exempt from state income tax.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "JPST vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/jpst-vs-sgov

$10,000 in each, May 2020 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values.

JPST became

$12,268

3.2% a year

SGOV became

$12,088

3.0% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearJPSTSGOV
2025+5.0%+4.2%
2024+5.6%+5.3%
2023+5.1%+5.1%
2022+1.1%+1.6%
2021+0.1%+0.0%

Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.

What each holds and how it's taxed

JPST · Ultra-short bond ETF
Holds short-term bonds, which can include corporate or asset-backed debt, for a little more yield than T-bills and a little more price movement.
SGOV · Treasury ETF
Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).

General information, not tax advice. Every cash fund by yield →

Top holdings

No overlap in the top ten.

JPST

  1. MGMXX JPMorgan US Government MMkt IM2.9%

SGOV

  1. Holdings not reported.

JPST vs SGOV: questions

Is JPST or SGOV better?

It depends on the job. JPST pays more today (4.13% vs 3.64%), SGOV costs less, and JPST has the better total return over May 2020 to Oct 2026, with SGOV holding up better in its worst stretch. For cash you may need soon, yield after tax and how easily you can get the money out matter more than past returns.

Which pays a higher dividend, JPST or SGOV?

JPST, at 4.13% against 3.64% for SGOV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $413 vs $364 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

JPST. From May 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.2% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.0% for SGOV. $10,000 became $12,268 vs $12,088.

Which is cheaper, JPST or SGOV?

SGOV, with a 0.09% expense ratio against 0.18%.

How are JPST and SGOV taxed?

JPST: Holds short-term bonds, which can include corporate or asset-backed debt, for a little more yield than T-bills and a little more price movement. SGOV: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). General information, not tax advice.

Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.